And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do.
From this passage, as well as other similar ones, it plainly appears how many vices were of necessity tolerated in this people. It was altogether an act of barbarism that fathers should sell their children for the relief of their poverty, still it could not be corrected as might have been hoped.
God gave Israel laws framed in infinite wisdom and equity, not left to human guessing. These were not arbitrary rules but a Theocracy's constitution, suited to make them happy. The Israelites had suffered under Egyptian cruelty; now that they held power over servants, provision was made to ensure they would not replicate that abuse. Those who have felt the whip themselves have no excuse to wield it.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 21:1-11
And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant,.... That is, if an Israelite, as the Targum of Jonathan, sells his little daughter, as the same Targum, and so Jarchi and Aben Ezra, one that is under age, that is not arrived to the age of twelve years and a day, and this through poverty; he not being able to support himself and...